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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Gargantuan Rat

DESCRIPTION
Gargantuan rats are monstrous versions of the normal and giant varieties. Measuring anyway from 20-30 feet long, these beasts are sickly gray in color and emit a particularly pungent musky smell. They are not natural tunnelers, though they are moderately capable swimmers. Gargantuan rats also suffer a similar fear of fire as smaller varieties, but will simply keep a distance from it (usually of about 60'), rather than flee.

Unlike the more common rat varieties, gargantuan rats have a natural aversion to the presence of undead, and tend to stay away from areas where undead are present. Therefore, there are rarely found in the command of vampires. However, they are particularly loyal to wererats, and gain a +1 bonus to their morale in the presence one.

The bite of a gargantuan rat is laden with disease, and any creature suffering its bite must save vs. poison; if the saving throw fails, there is a 1-in-6 chance the afflicted character will become bedridden immediately (unable to adventure), and die in 1-6 days (unless cured); otherwise (5-in-6 chance), the afflicted character will become bedridden immediately and remain so for a period of 3-12 weeks (or until cured).

Gargantuan Black Rats: This variety of gargantuan rat is jet black in color and is particularly aggressive. Black gargantuan rats gain a +1 bonus on all “to hit” rolls and to their morale, deal an additional 1 point of damage on each attack (each of its 2 claws do 2-5 pts. each, and its bite does 3-9 pts. damage), and have 4 additional hit points (HD:4+4). Furthermore, all saving throws against a black gargantuan rat’s bite incur a -1 penalty on the roll.